Andy Kellett scored his first goal for Latics

Latics ended their poor run of form with an important 2-0 victory at struggling Barnsley.

Andy Kellett’s first goal for the club and a late opportunist finish by substitute Yanic Wildschut ensured the three points went back to Lancashire.

The Tykes remain in the relegation zone and Latics move up to fifth in the League One table with the busy Christmas season ahead.

Gary Caldwell made four changes to the line-up from last week’s defeat at home to Blackpool. Captain Craig Morgan was surprisingly back from injury and Michael Jacobs, Donervon Daniels and Andy Kellett replaced Yanic Wildschut, Craig Davies, Leon Barnett and Don Cowie.

Barnsley started brightly and looked to make an early breakthrough. But Latics gradually settled into the match and Will Grigg had a shot saved by Adam Davies after ten minutes.

Latics build up play was initially pedestrian but on 18 minutes they went ahead with some swift link-up play.

Kellett played a neat one-two with Jacobs on the edge of the box and finished high into the top right hand corner of the Barnsley net as Davies advanced towards him.

Latics were now controlling possession and the home team were finding it increasingly difficult to make an impression going forward.

Wigan continued to control the game after the interval when Grigg set up Max Power but his shot from the edge of the box went just wide of the Tykes goal.

Kellett then had a great chance to double the lead on 60 minutes when he was played through by Jacobs, but the keeper managed to get his foot to the former Bolton player’s shot and it was deflected away for a corner.

Kellett was replaced by striker Alex Revell soon afterwards as Latics looked to take advantage of Barnsley pressing for an equaliser.

The home team pushed forward in the final minutes but Latics always looked dangerous on the break.

Yanic Wildschut replaced Grigg in the 84th minute and the Dutchman was to make an almost immediate impact.

The dynamic winger nipped between defender Lewin Nyatanga and keeper Davies to steal the ball, score an opportunist goal and seal the points, much to the delight of the travelling band of Wigan supporters.